SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to address the nursing shortage in Illinois, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton passed a law to extend the time nurses can practice while waiting for the review of their license application.

“Long application waiting periods should not affect a nurse’s ability to work,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This initiative ensures our medical facilities are filled with qualified professionals who can continue to provide high-quality care under supervision while awaiting their license.”

Under the new measure, advanced practice registered nurses with pending applications will be allowed to practice under supervision for six months while waiting for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s review of their application. Previously, this status was revoked after three months. These nurses would need to have completed at least 250 hours of continuing education in their area of certification and have at least 4,000 hours of clinical experience to be applicable for this opportunity.

According to The Illinois Update, over half of registered nurses in Illinois are over the age of 55, with the state being projected to see a nursing shortage of 15,000 by 2025. Glowiak Hilton’s law will help combat this shortage and bring more nurses to hospitals within the state.

“Illinois’ nursing shortage is a crisis, and we cannot turn away accredited professionals,” said Glowiak Hilton. “Our nurses provide compassion and care for patients — turning them away would cause even more harm for those who desperately need immediate care.”

House Bill 5047 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton establishes incentives for microchip manufacturers in an effort to make the electronics industry more competitive in Illinois.

“Microchips and semiconductors are part of just about every piece of technology we use every day,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “By providing these new incentives, we are creating jobs, keeping Illinois at the forefront of a growing industry and making our community a hub for manufacturing.”

House Bill 5005 brings new opportunities to the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act, which offers incentives to companies that manufacture microchips and semiconductors in Illinois. MICRO allows businesses to receive tax credits on new and retained jobs, training costs, investments and construction jobs. Under the new law, manufacturers will be eligible for a tax credit when relocating from one site in Illinois to another. Additionally, individual taxpayers who focus on research and development and innovation in the space of semiconductor manufacturing, microchip manufacturing and the manufacturing of semiconductor or microchip component parts will be eligible for this program.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to recruit more nurses to work at Illinois medical facilities, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton passed a measure to extend the time nurses can practice while waiting for the review of their license application.

“Nurses should not lose out on work due to application waiting periods,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This initiative helps address the state’s nursing shortage, provides our nurses more experience with patients and ensures application delays do not affect their ability to work.”

House Bill 5047 would allow advanced practice registered nurses with pending applications to practice under supervision for six months while waiting for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s review of their application. Under current law, this status is revoked after three months. These nurses would need to have completed at least 250 hours of continuing education in their area of certification and have at least 4,000 hours of clinical experience to be applicable for this opportunity.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to make medication more accessible to Illinoisans, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton advanced an initiative to prohibit pharmacists from refusing to fill a written prescription.

“Denying medication because of how it is sent to the pharmacy creates unnecessary complications that could cost a patient their life,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Individuals should be able to easily access their prescriptions, not be penalized because of a technicality.”

In response to the opioid epidemic, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law in 2021 requiring prescriptions of controlled substances to be sent electronically. However, some pharmacists are now refusing to fill non-electronic prescriptions despite exceptions to the current law. House Bill 4874 would prohibit a pharmacist from refusing to fill a paper or non-electronic prescription.

“This measure would eliminate barriers that prevent residents from receiving the care they need,” said Glowiak Hilton. “If a doctor orders medication for your well-being, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be allowed to pick it up at your local pharmacy.”

House Bill 4874 passed the Senate on Wednesday.